Combination door



May 23, 1939- J. ls. MURPHY 2,159,530

COMBINAT ION DOOR BY /T/WWM ATTORNEY.

May 23, 1939. J. s. MURPHY COMBINATION DOOR Filed Sept. 28, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ffa 3.

INVENTOR. ./A//V 5.' /V//PDA/f" ATTORNEY.

Il Y l Y Patented MayV 23, 1939 comimos noon .mm s. umm. sm osuna. om. Appllolldll 86mm u, 1.37, Belllll H0. 1,.,10

s cmu. (ci. n n) l This invention relates to building construction, and more particularly to doors of the type commonly spoken of in the trade as combination" or all-weather" doors. l

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved design for a door of the general K' character described, wherein a sash is siidably mounted in such a manner that it is adapted to be slid optionally into a pocket in the lower portion of the door, wherein the, sash is concealed and protected by suitable panels, or into closing relation within an opening in the upper part of the door. The present invention, therefore, represents an improvement over that forming the subject matter of Patent No. 1,935,887 issued to me on November 21, 1933. v

More specifically, an object of the present iny vention is to provide an improved and simplined construction for supporting and retaining the panels in spaced, parallel relation, whereby great-y ver fstrength and rigidity are imparted, not only to the panels themselves, but to the entire door,

, in disposing the upper edges of the panels accurately in proper position with respect to the lock rail by which they are to be engaged. y 1

Another object is toreduce the over-allcost of the door assembly by providing a lock rail constructed entirely of sheet metal stamping and of such design that it needs no mortising to mount it rigidly in operative position upon the stiles.

A further object is to provide improved and simplified means for mounting a' screen frame within the opening of the door whereby the screen frame is removably retained by a locking device releasable from the inner side of the door only;

Yet another object is tov provide improved means of interengagement between the lower edgesv of the panels and the bottom rail, and eillcient means for draining any moisture which might otherwise accumulate within the bottom of the sash-receiving pocket.

It is a further object of the present invention provide a door construction of the general character described which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is altogether superior in emciency, durability, servichility and convenience. f

The inventionpossesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those scrlption ofthe preferred embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specication. vIt is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing the inside facev of a door embodying the principles of the present invention Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated.v This figure is highly enlarged, but broken away at certain portions to reduce its size, and shows the sash raised to its closing position;

Fig. 3 i's a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the sash lowered to its concealed, or inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal, sectional view taken through one `of the stiles of the door upon the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, taken, however, upon the line I-I of Fig. 2,y with the direction of view as indicated;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in horizontal section, taken upon the line 6--6 of Fig. 1, to show the rmanner of interconnection between the top rail and stile; Y

Fig. "l is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the manner of interconnection between the bottom rail and stile, upon the line 1-1 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view in elevation, showing an improved type of lock for retaining the screen frame in operative position. The direction of view may lbe considered to have been taken as indicated by the arrow 8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken through the lower portion of a door and showing a slightly modiiied form of interconnection between the panels and 'the bottom rail.

The door of the present invention comprises vertical stiles vI I spaced apart and joined by a top rail i2 and bottom rail I3. The rectangular space defined by these members is divided into upper and lower openings I6 and i1 respectively, by a lock rail Il, the construction of whichis one of the important features of the present invention. This lock rail is preferably constructed of sheet metal stampings and comprises a pair of channel shaped members I9 and 20. These channels I9 'and 20 are rigidly and permanently mounted in spaced, parallel relation by means of a plate 2| at each end of the lock rail, against which the end of the channels I9 and' 20 abut and to which they are preferably welded to provide an integral construction. The end plates 2I provide the means for mounting the lock rail I8 in `operative position upon and extending between the opposed stiles II. A screw 22 extends through a suitably positionedhole in each plate 2I and is driven into the inner edge of the stile to fasten the lock rail I9 rigidly in position. Preferably the screw hole in each plate 2I is adjacent the upper edge thereof, so that access to the screw 22 can be had more conveniently, it being remembered that the screw driver must be inserted between the two channels I9 and 20, in order to mount the lock rail I8 in position.

Thus it may be seen that efllciently operating means F're provided for mounting the lock rail without the necessity of forming a mortised joint between the rail and the stiles. No accurate fltting is required other than to make sure that the length of the lock rail coincides with the distance between the stiles, but in spite of this saving in time and labor required for the assembly of these parts, a considerably more rigid construction is provided because of the great degree of strength that can be established by attaching the end plate 2| to the stile by means of wood screws. Because of the integral connection between the channels I9 and 20 and the end plates 2|, spreading of the stiles is denitely prevented, thus overcoming one of the principal deficiencies of most all-purpose doors wherein the elements of the lock rail aremortised and glued to the stiles. In this type of door the mortised joint is necessarily quite small, hence the repeated shocks to which the door is subjected during normal use frequently break the bond between the rail and stiles and causes the joint to Work loose, thus permitting the stiles to spread. Similarly, being constructed of two spaced, parallel channel members each of which is possessed of considerable strength, the lock rail is proof against wracking, i. e., twisting of one end with respect to the other. Hence, by rmly connecting the end plates 2I of the lock rail to the Stiles substantially midway between the ends of the latter, a considerable degree of similar strength is imparted to the entire door construction, thus reinforcing it against wracking or twisting strains.

In order to make it possible optionally to open or close the upper opening I6, the slidable sash 26, comprising a frame 21 mounting a pane 28 of glass or similar material, is mounted for vertical sliding movement upon and between the Stiles I I. For this purpose a suitable channel 21 (see Fig. 4) is formed in the inner edge of each stile II, this preferably being provided by securing stops 29 and 29 to the inner edge of each stile I I, though it should be understood that the same construction can also beprovided by routing out the inner edge, leaving beads spaced apart sumciently to provide the channel 21 of desired width. The channel 21 of each stile II extends preferably throughout the entire length thereof, thus making it possible to slide the sash 28 past the lock rail I8. Hence, when it is desired to close the upper opening I6, the sash 26 is raised and when it is desired to open the opening I6 the sash is lowered into a pocket 3l which is deilned by two spaced, parallel panels 32 which extend across the lower opening I1. The upper edge of each of these panels 32 is seated within the associated channel I9, 26 of the lock rail. The parts are so positioned that a nice t is established between the panels and the channels; and in order to provide a smooth guide way for the sash 26, the inner face of each panel 32 is rabbeted as indicated at 33, and the inner ange 34 of the associated channel is disposed within the rabbet thus formed. By utilizing this construction, the thickness of the ilange is equal to or slightly. less than the thickness of the panel, the importance being that all obstructions to upward movement of the sash between the two channels I9 and 29 are avoided. Toward this same end, preferably the lower edge of the inner flange 34 of each channel is beveled, as indicated at 36.

It should be observed that the inner flange 34 of each channel is materially longer than the outer ange 31. This is to facilitate assembly of the device. When inserting the upper edge of a panel 32 into the associated channel, the parts are merely placed in such position that the upper edge of the panel rests against that portion oi' the inner fiange 34 which projects beyond the bottom edge of the other flange 31. insure such registry of the panel with the channel that the two may then be pressed toward each other, causing the upper edge of the panel to enter the socket or recess until the top edge of the panel engages the web 38 of the channel. Were both iianges of the same length, diiiiculty would be encountered in securing such registry, inas- -much as the panels would have the tendency to the panel to enter the recess.

Whereas the two channel members I9 and 28 are of similar construction, they dlifer from each other in that the channel 20, which is proximal to the outer face of the door, is provided with an upstanding flange 4I which extends from adjacent the intersection of the web 38 and the outer flange 31. This upstanding flange 4I serves as a retainer for the bottom edge of the screen frame 42, a substantially complementary slot 43 being formed in the bottom of the screen frame for that purpose. The screen frame 42 is preferably fitted within the upper opening I6, thus making it necessary to move the upper edge of the screen frame 42 outwards, away from the `plane of the door, before the lower edge of the screen frame can be elevated sufliciently to cause disengagement of the upstanding flange 4I from the slot 43. To prevent such outward movement ofthe upper edge of the screen frame 42 until removal of the screen frame is desired, a lock 46, operable from the inner side of the door only, is mounted upon the inner face of the screen frame 42 adjacent the upper edge thereof. This lock comprises two plates 41 and 48, the latter of which has its edges oifset toward the plate 41 so as to dispose the body of the plate 48 far enough away from the plate 41 to provide a chamber 49 between the plates 41 and within which a, ylocking disc 5I is mounted for rotary movement. Preferably the plates 41 and 48 also are .substantially disc-shaped and are mounted by means of a plurality of screws 52 extending through the edges of the plates 41 and 48, in such position that the center of the disc 6I is disposed closer to the upper edge of the screen frame 42 than the radius o! the disc. The two stationary plates 41 and 49 are cut away or relieved so that a at side of each lies substantially in the plane of the upper edge of the screen frame. The ro- This 1111125 tary disc 6I also is provided with a fiat side 63, so that by turning the disc 6| the at side 63 can be brought into registry with the fiat side of the two stationary plates under which circumstance the upper edge of the screen frame is free to move outward away from the door. However, by turning the disc 5|, the fiat side 53 can be moved downward into the recess 49, causing a segment of the disc 5I to extend upward into a rabbet 64 which is formed on the inner face of the outer bead 56 which denes the channel 61 in the under side of the top rail I2 into which the top of the sash 26 extends when raised. 'I'he necessity for seating `the locking portion of the disc within the rabbet 54 arises from the desirability of leaving the inner face of the screen frame 26 smooth, so as to avoid obstructions to adjustment of the sash. Because of this, the entire locking device 46 is rabbeted into the inner face of the screen frame, so that the plate 41 lies iiush with the inner surface of the screen kframe.

A central opening 6| is provided in the plate 41 and through this opening a boss 62, which is formed centrally upon the movable disc 5I, projects. 'I'his boss is provided with a screw driver kerf 63 which is accessible inside the door when the sash 26 is lowered. This type of lock is of exceedingly simple and inexpensive construction, consisting of only three plates or discs and the screws necessary to anchor the outer discs 41 and 46 to the screen frame. It is exceedingly small and compact and cannot get yout of order; and yet it operates with great emciency in retaining the screen frame against inadvertent displacement.

In order to retain the sash 26 at selected elevation, I have provided a spring pressed ratchet 66 in the form of a detent 61 extending through that channel member I9 which is associated with the inner face of the door so that its beveled end 66 projects into the space between the two chanlnels and through which the sash 26 extends.

This detent 61 carries a head 69 which can be engaged by the finger nails when it is desired to withdraw the detent 61 from engaging position against the action of the leaf spring 1| whereby the detent 61 is mounted upon the lock rail and continuously urged inward to operating position. Cooperating abutments for the detent 61 are conveniently provided by a plurality of notches 12 which are disposed at suitably spaced intervals in the inner face of one of the stiles 13 of the sash 26. The height at which the sash 26 will be retainedrby the rabbet is determined by which of the notches 12 receives the detent 61.

'I'he vertical edges of the two panels 32 are seated within the grooves 16 formed in the inner edges of the stiles II from the lock rail I9 downwards, glue preferably being used in order to strengthen the entire construction. 'Ihe means of interconnection between the lower edges of the panels 32 and the bottom rail I3 is preferably a strip 6| of thickness corresponding to the thickness of the bottom lrail I3 and having a pair of opposed depending flanges 62 rabbeted into the upper edge of the bottom rail I3 so that their outer faces lie flush with that of the bottom rail. In the upper edge of this strip 8|, two spaced, parallel grooves 63 are provided for the reception of the loweredge of the panel 32. Weep holes 64 extend downward Afrom the bottoms of the channels 63 leading to the outer face of the door at 66. Preferably an additional weep hole 61 leads downward through the upstanding portion between the'two channels 63, so that moisture which otherwise would collect within the bottom of the pocket 3| can be drained without its having to seep into the bottom of either of the channels 63. It is important to note that these weep holes lead not to the bottom edge of the door, as in customary practice, but to the lower face of the door, thus reducing the tendency for water dripping from the weep holes to run back over the sill to the inside of the door.

Cushions 9| are provided upon the strip 6I between the two panels 32 in position to be engaged by the sash 26 when in its lowermost position. The same screws 92 which fasten the cushions 9I upon the strip can be used to screw the strip 8| in position by using screws long enough to pass all the way through the strip into the bottom rail I3.

Fig. 9 illustrates a slightly modified form of the strip 96, this being the form utilized when the strip is composed of metal instead of wood, as in the case of the previously described strip 6I. With this modification, the inner faces of the panels 32 are engaged by the spaced upstanding flanges 9,1. the space 96 between these upstanding flanges provides a convenient socket for the reception of the cushions 99 which are so shaped that they can be anchored in operative position by being pressed into this space 96. Whereas any suitable type of interconnection between the rails I2 and I3 and stiles I| can be utilized, I prefer that they be both mortised and dowelled. Fig. 6 shows one of preferably a plurality of dowels IDI interconnecting the top rail I2 with one of the stiles II in addition to the regular mortise and tenon joint |02 commonly employed. Fig. 7 also shows one of a plurality of' dowels |03 which is employed in addition to the double mortised and tenoned joint |04, whereby the bottom rail I3 is connected to each of the stiles II.

A plurality of anti-rattling springs is preferably employed pressing the sash against the outermost stop 29'. 'I'hese springs III are carried by the inner face (i. e., that face which is proximal to the sash) of the innermost stop 29, and are preferably disposed within a groove I I2 there provided, so that when the springs are depressed they lie entirely within the groove II2 instead of lprojecting beyond the surface in which that groove is formed. The importance here is that a perfectly smooth guide rail for the sash 26 is provided, all projections which otherwise might interfere with vertical adjustment oi' the sash being eliminated.

I claim:

1. In a door construction. a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to define a i pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of metal channels invertedto receive the upper edge o`f one of said panels in each, and means fastening the ends of said channels to said stiies.

2. Inv a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to define a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of metal channels inverted to receive the upper edge of one of said panels in each, a plate at each end of said lock` rail and rigidly attached to the associated ends ot said channels to retain them in spaced, parallel relation, and means for fastening said plates to said stiles to mount said lock rail in position and to hold said stiles against spreading.

3. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails. a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing saidlower opening and spaced apart to define a pocket therebetweemsaid lock rail comprising a pair of end plates fastened to said stiles and a pair ot spaced, parallel channels each fastened at one end to one of said plates andeach of said channels comprising a web and a pair of spaced flanges extending downward therefrom and embracing the upper edge of one of said panels therebetween, the inner flange of each of said channels being longer than the outer to guide the associated panel when being inserted into the channel.

4. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to define a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of end plates fastened to said stiles and a pair of spaced, parallel channels disposed upon opposite sides of said sash each fastened at one end to one of said plates and each channel comprising a web and a pair of spaced flanges extending downward therefrom and embracing the upper edge of one of said panels therebetween, the inner face of each of said panels being rabbeted along its upper edge, and the. inner flange ofthe associated channel being seated therein to provide a Joint between said flangey and panel free of obstruction to movement of said sash.

5. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space dened by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to deilne a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of metal channels inverted to receive the upper edge of one of said panels in each, a plate at each end of said lock rail and rigidly attached to the associated ends of said channels to retain them in spaced, parallel relation, and means for fastening said plates to said stiles to mount said lock rail in position and to hold said stiles against spreading, and `means on the upper edge of said bottom rail providing spaced, parallel channels within which the lower edges of said panels are seated.

6. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space deiined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to deline a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of metal channels inverted to receive the upper edge of one of said panels in each, a plate at each end of said lock rail and rigidly attached to the associated ends of said channels to retain them in spaced, parallel relation, and means for fastening said plates to said stiles to mount said lock rail in position and to hold said stiles against spreading, and means on the upper edge of said bottom rail providing spaced, parallel channels within which the lower edges of said panels are seated. said channelproviding means comprising a strip extending between said stiles along the upper edge oi.' said bottom rail, downwardly extending flanges on the bottom of said strip rabbeted into said bottcm rail, said strip having spaced, parallel grooves in its upper face within which the lower edges of said panels are seated.

7. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to deilne a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of metal channels inverted to receive the upper edge of one of said panels in each, a plate at each end of said lock rail and rigidly attached to the associated ends of said channels to retain them in spaced, parallel relation, and means for fastening said plates to said stiles to mount said lock rail in position and to hold said stiles against spreading, and means on the upper edge of said bottom rail providing spaced, parallel channels within which the` lower edges ci' said panels are seated, and said channel-providing means having weep-holes therein leading from the bottom of said channels to the outer face of said door.

8. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to define a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of metal channels inverted to receive the upper edge of one of said panels in each, a plate at each end of said lock rail and rigidly attached to the associated ends of said channels to retain them in spaced, parallel relation, and means for fastening said plates to said stiles to mount said lock rail in position and to hold said stiles against spreading, and means on the upper edge of said bottom rail providing spaced, parallel channels within which the lower edges of said panels are seated, and said channel-providing means having weep-holes therein leading from the bottom of said channels and from the bottom of said pocket.

9. In a door construction, a pair of spaced stiles, top and bottom rails, a lock rail dividing the space defined by said rails and stiles into upper and lower openings, a pair of panels closing said lower opening and spaced apart to define a pocket therebetween, said lock rail comprising a pair of end plates fastened to said stiles and a pair of spaced. parallel channels disposed upon opposite sides of said sash each fastened at one end to one of said plates and each channel comprising a web and a pair of spaced flanges extending downward therefrom and embracing the upper edge of one of said panels therebetween, an upstanding flange formed on one of said channels adjacent the intersection of its web and one of its panel-engaging anges, a screen frame disposed within said upper opening, means on the bottom of said screen frame seating behind said upstanding flange to hold it against outward movement without ilrst raising said screen frame, and releasable locking means holding said screen frame against upward movement.

JOHN S. MURPHY. 

